Tick anything you already have, in any order. Quests unlock once this is done.
The goggles and gloves are not padding. Lye burns skin and blinds eyes, and it is the one material here that genuinely demands respect.
2 things left above. Quests are real things you go and do, so they only make sense once you have what you need.
First one waiting: Get melt-and-pour base and some moulds