If you want to make patterns in Illustrator, you can use Windows } Pattern Options and it will create infinite patterns that you can apply using the Swatches pallet. Patterns that can be manipulated by going to Illustrator } Settings } General (or Edit } Settings } General on a PC) and turning "Transform Pattern Tiles" on or off.
Once your pattern is on the screen, you can use the "Done" or the "Save a Copy" buttons to save your swatch; to edit an existing swatch, double-click the Swatch you created, which opens the Pattern Options back up and you can edit and click "Done" or "Save a Copy."
