How to trigger 'Winter Mystery'?

[Chini]

I wasted almost my time in Stardew Valley doing nothing but foraging, fishing and mining. Now I am currently in Winter 1 year 5 and I am looking for the magnifying glass but I didn't encounter Krobus at all even on my first year of winter. How am I supposed to get the magnifying glass when I am his costumer in the sewers? I even give him gifts.

 

[Lew Zealand]

It's supposed to happen by entering the Bus Stop from the Farm during any morning or afternoon in Winter. Since you've been Foraging, you certainly have done that at some point during the previous 4 Winters. I suppose if you missed it or didn't notice where the Shadow Guy (not necessarily Krobus, maybe his sister?) went during one of those times, the bush where you're supposed to find him and the Magnifying Glass might still be able to be triggered by nudging that bush a few times.

On my first playthrough I missed the hints about where to look for him and that may have been my first foray into the SDV Wiki to see where I should search (the in-game hints are obvious but I have a very thick head and had trouble early on). I don't think I found him on the day he appeared (when the cutscene triggered) and searched later to find him. Hopefully you can, too.

 

[Chini]

I tried shaking the bush a few times but he's not there. My sister said she saw someone running on her first year in Stardew Valley but she didn't follow him. Now she's currently on her 3rd year and I told her about the bush and she got the magnifying glass. That didn't work out for me though and now it's Krobus' birthday. I really need the magnifying glass.

 

[Hill Myna]

Hello Chini!

I have a few questions that might help:

• Could you share a screenshot of your Wallet? The Magnifying Glass is not an item; it goes into your Wallet and not your Inventory.
• What platform are you on? If you're playing on PS Vita, the Magnifying Glass won't have been added in yet; it was introduced in 1.3.27, the PS Vita version is only up to 1.02.
• If you're playing on PC, are you using or have you used any mods on this particular account?
• Can I confirm that you are shaking the bush circled in red?

How am I supposed to get the magnifying glass when I am his costumer in the sewers?

You can't buy it from him, you have to shake the bush and the "Shadow Guy" gives you the Magnifying Glass.

That didn't work out for me though and now it's Krobus' birthday. I really need the magnifying glass.

Not having the Magnifying Glass won't stop you from interacting with Krobus. It just prevents you from getting Secret Notes.

Hope this helps!

 

[Chini]

I don't have it in my wallet either. I didn't trigger the 'Winter Mystery' since I didn't encounter Krobus on my 1st day of Winter year 1. I play on PC and it's not on a MOD. I'm just wondering why I didn't encounter him on my 1st year of winter, I always go to Pellican Town after waking up to check quests on the bulletin.