Minecraft wiki entry for Your_first_10_minutes, associated text: If you don't have enough coal or charcoal to make many torches for the mine, you can organize your items and house to make finding and moving easier, and do crafting (crafting is possible, though difficult, even in complete darkness). Also, if you managed to gather some leather (at least 4 pieces) by killing cows or rabbits, you might craft some leather armor. It's weak but better than nothing.