I kinda hate how it's just 9 utilities, because i have LOTS of tools which take a space on my inventory.

At this time the code doesn't allow more than 9. People have asked but I don't think the current system I have for scaling the cost of upgrades can support more, and I haven't come up with a way to allow upgrading further.

Probably some sort of blueprint? Instead of having to sew every upgrade with a tiered needle which could become useless at some point, why not obtaining blueprints and assigning 1-2 of each for every needle upgrade?

For example, a blueprint could be obtained from fishing, other from trading, other from structures, other from looting, other from crafting, etc. (i don't mean every one HAS to be different, you could obtain a blueprint multiple times from a same source). But the blueprints for 9+ could be harder to obtain.

And a wooden needle would sew 2 upgrades, then a stone needle would sew the other 2, all up to the netherite needle.

But also some blueprints would ask for a specific kind of needle to not make unnecessary stacking.

Probably the limit would be 14 tools.

It's not a bad idea, and is in line with what Mojang is doing lately, but at the same time, do you really want to explore random structures in the hopes that maybe one of the random chests contains an item you only need once?

But at the same time, do you really want to explore random structures in the hopes that maybe one of the random chests contains an item you only need once?

I don't mean it's use is to be used then permanently discarded. I mean, it's better to explore your world, not to go to the same mine over and over and use your file to make needles you need to upgrade but basically are useless due of the previous one being kinda costly (i mean as an example diamond to netherite). Shortened: Being a caveman and staying all day in your base vicinity.

I mean by getting blueprints, these can be used to upgrade the needle, and it would be better to only use one needle for upgrading the belt fully. Also, these blueprints would be used for more things, like, if you already got many blueprints of a tier you can craft them for a rarer blueprint tier. If you already got a maxed toolbelt, you can use the leftover blueprints to make one for a friend or something. I think you could upgrade your current needle to not give it a waste, and switching your current one for another.

I believe the max limit should be 16 tools instead. This is because only 9 is kinda limiting, but you'd have to work your way up for the other 5 slots.