[MattBlack]

I draw a square with a pattern swatch as a fill.

Then i reduce the size of the square using the handles. Simple so far?

How come sometimes the pattern reduces in scale along with the square, and sometimes stays the same size? It seems random!

[NeedForBleed]

It sounds like you're switching between the two selection tools. If you use the direct selection tool (A), then resize corners, the scale will stay the same, if you use the selection tool (V) the entire thing will rescale.

Alternatively, there may be clipping masks involved, in which case you're changing the actual mask instead of pattern layer itself.

Just a couple of possible reasons.

[MattBlack]

In all cases i have been resizing using direct selection tool, so I'll try the other one. Thanks!