There has been a suggestion on CurseForge to provide means of crafting 2x2 recipes without a GUI or a crafting table by utilizing the ground. While that is a potential solution to the "problem" of acquiring your first crafting table, I think we can do better.

I'm not sure how to go about this yet, but I imagine some sort of in-world crafting table creation. The main problem that poses is that we can't rely on the player's access to any tools as they would obviously require a crafting table. If I can't come up with any better solution, I might just provide some simple means of turning any placed log block into a crafting table.

What if the player would get a extra Inventory Slot (like the Shield-Slot) where you have a placeable Backpack or a Basket, where you can craft 2x2 recipes and have acces to the Inventory.
When you press E one has the Backpack in the Hand and can place the it on the Ground.
hope you understand my English ;/

The Backpack would fold out and show all the Items on a leather Tarp.
I'm not sure cause it would'nt be realistic to have a Backpack at the Beginning, could be better if the Player wears a Belt and has to upgrade it later to get the full Inventory.
The Belt could be seen when looking down the Legs and Weapons will be on the Back of the Player....