How do we learn patterns?

Seems if I am going to consider patterns as (template matching + measurement) then, even if only briefly, the epistemological question needs to be considered of: where do these patterns come from. A quick consideration suggest at least two functionalities.

1. A single pattern may be split into two patterns by noticing a new detail. 
2. A collection of details, in a particular relation to each other, could be grouped as a single pattern

I know it is silly but I want to imagine a new-born starting with one big pattern for the world: there or not there. Perhaps the rest could develop from (1) and (2). 

Update: or two patterns might be seen to be similar, creating a new perception of details and a new generalization.

Update: One clear thing is that  known patterns can be further detailed.