make pattern icon?

[myshop1044]

years ago I needed to rotate an oval 45 deg to the left, I thought I could use
"make pattern icon" to create a oval pattern save it , bring it back as a pattern then be able to rotate it.
I just tried it and I can not get the make pattern icon to active, what am I not remembering?
Also can I create a pattern from text letter "R", I have tried this too and it does not work.
let's back to the beginning .
How do you turn on make pattern on?
Help
Perry B.

[fwharris]

Did you make the oval a carve region first and then group it?

[myshop1044]

I just tried it , region and group it and it did not activate the icon.

[myshop1044]

sorry about that, when went back and hit the word " group" again it activated the icon, thanks again.