Wiz,
I have seen wheels with spokes tied, spokes twisted into each other, and straight cross patterns of all configurations that work well. But there are always constants about the wheels. Even tensions across both sides of the wheel. Regardless of the pattern chosen the tension to the hub to rim needs to be pretty close to have a wheel that works. When the tension between both sides of the rim is different , it will result n a wheel that does not track correctly. HTH, MH