Can anyone explain what a pattern is please?

[schnapps]

Right, I know I'm going to sound really thick! but can you please explain what a pattern is? I always thought that a pattern is a repeated decorative design, but I've seen lots of pictures that claim to be patterns, they use shapes, but there is no design that is 'repeated'. I think I've obviously got the wrong end of the stick as to what constitutes a pattern. Can anyone please help??

pattern definitions

Thank you for that ParrupupumScum

Part of the definition says 'An artistic or decorative design'. So, does that mean any sort of design is classed as a pettern, say a design of a house for example?

Doesn't that pretty much include most things?

anyone?

I'm sure someone here must be able to explain what a pattern is to me in very simple terms? Pleeease?

hmmm, maybe I should just console myself with the fact that mners are all thickos and I am therefore in good company