Techniques for fading patterns?

Sometimes when I use patterns such as grids or scanlines I dont want them to cover the entire layer. How do I make a pattern gradually fade in or out?

I also recently ordered "Adobe Photoshop 6 Wow!" from amazon.com and I was wondering if anyone here has it. Does it live up to the "hype"? The reviews on amazon.com were good..

Thanks.

Read this.

Just a few posts below, your question has been answered.

Use layer masks, the gradient fill tool, and the airbrush tool on the grid patterns.

This isn't doing what I want it to. I want the pattern to fade away to the background color. I don't really understand the whole concept of masks either. Do you have a tutorial that explains masks well, or could you or someone else explain masks to me?

try here

and here

and here

and here

Doing a search on google.com would result in many more tutorials such as this. The photoshop help file and manual also contain lots of information on layer masks.