Try your local library, mine have 2 subscriptions, they also keep the current year and the last 2 years. They also have copy machines if anything should tickle my fancy. I've also been lucky enough to go on the right day in Jan. when they purge the oldest year. I also am lucky that my local Wal-mart offers 6-8 magazines-only 2 or 3 in plastic. I've found that I have read the patterns, even taking pics with my cell then once I get home I get out the graph paper and begin to draw what I remember of the pattern-and it's only a 10 minute drive if I need a refresher look. But then I go for the simple designs-nothing too complicated, not my style. If it really has many ideas I like I will buy it-but I avoid the ones in plastic-last on I bought on a whim has nothing I thought to try.