I'm not at a point where I feel comfortable with my own design. I'm with Ladybugnana. I need the pattern, but it rarely looks like the picture. I also love to design my own look, but once in awhile, I will deviate from the actual pattern and do something else.
I download free patterns, but you really have to be careful. Instructions are shaky, but the worse thing is the misprints. This even happens with store bought patterns. I was making a purse, and the instructions said to cut 24" strips. I read the instructions before I started, but missed the fact they kept referring to 26" strips. Oh well...so the purse was shorter in depth. :| But it still turned out okay, and my friend loved it.