I was always told to rip the leather briskly in a circular fashion with your palm. Working it over opens up the pores in it, the friction heats it up a little, and the oils from your skin nourish it. As for any special pattern of application, I suggest a cross hatch pattern (doesn't have to be pretty) or just scribble back and forth the short way, to make sure that all of the strop is working for you. I look at Horndog's example, and I see the middle of the surface is doing a lot more work than the edges. Sorry to pick on you, Horndog!