I've used: Object > Objects to pattern to convert a line into hatching in an enclosed line (see attached). I've used node mode to scale and align the direction of hatching. However, I've not worked out how to change the hatching colour, line length (principally so that hatching is complete lines) and hatch line thickness?

Seems no image available. Can you check your upload?

Cheers
P.

You can only edit a pattern when you can edit the objects it consists of. A pattern is fixed, and the objects it contains are outside the editable space in Inkscape, so the way you're trying it cannot work.

There is a way to do this with clones (make a group of the objects, clone the group, use the clone for Objects to Pattern, edit the group). The original will stay editable this way.

Or you make test patterns by duplicating the object, then converting the duplicate to a pattern, then check if it looks okay, else go back to the original pattern object, edit, repeat.

You can scale the pattern non-proportionally by holding alt-key down when scaling:


Cheers
P.

Would Hatches LPE work for you?

- draw a path
- Path menu > Path Effects > Hatches
- configure