E2 mage too low level to craft earth boots?

I'm new to this game so not ruling out I'm doing something stupid, but I have an E2 mage, Construction is researched to 8, and when I go to craft earth boots, it says "You are too low level to forge that item". Same thing for any E2 items. The mage can forge other path items just fine and E1 items (like bracers of protection).