diff --git a/DESCRIPTION b/DESCRIPTION
index 2f7b081..8cb45db 100644
--- a/DESCRIPTION
+++ b/DESCRIPTION
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 Package: gridpattern
 Type: Package
 Title: 'grid' Pattern Grobs
-Version: 1.2.0-1
+Version: 1.2.0-2
 Authors@R: c(person("Mike", "FC", role = "aut", comment = "Code/docs adapted from ggpattern"),
         person("Trevor L.", "Davis", role=c("aut", "cre"), email="trevor.l.davis@gmail.com",
                comment = c(ORCID = "0000-0001-6341-4639")),
diff --git a/NEWS.md b/NEWS.md
index ebfad76..711eeb5 100644
--- a/NEWS.md
+++ b/NEWS.md
@@ -3,15 +3,18 @@ gridpattern v1.2.0 (development)
 
 * `patternFill()` wraps `patternGrob()` to return a
   `grid::pattern()` fill object (#70).
-
+* The "geometry" patterns (e.g. "circle", "stripe", etc.) now allow
+  the `fill` to be pattern fills (#67).
 * `update_alpha()` updates fill colour and/or pattern transparency.
 
   + It is a fork of `ggplot2::fill_alpha()` by @teunbrand.
   + It does not depend on `{ggplot2}` or `{scales}`.
   + It does not throw an error with a length one list of a vector of multiple colours.
-
-* The "geometry" patterns (e.g. "circle", "stripe", etc.) now allow
-  the `fill` to be pattern fills (#67).
+  + It is available as a "standalone" file. 
+    You may copy its source under the permissive MIT license into your own R package by either 
+    using `usethis::use_standalone("trevorld/gridpattern", "standalone-update_alpha.R")`
+    or simply copying `standalone-update_alpha.R` into your R directory and adding
+    `grDevices`, `grid`, and `rlang` to the `Imports` of your `DESCRIPTION` file.
 
 gridpattern v1.1.1
 ==================
diff --git a/R/pattern-both-rose.R b/R/pattern-both-rose.R
index dd230cb..8000ec6 100644
--- a/R/pattern-both-rose.R
+++ b/R/pattern-both-rose.R
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ create_pattern_rose <- function(params, boundary_df, aspect_ratio, legend = FALS
 
     # construct grobs using subsets if certain inputs are vectorized
     fill <- update_alpha(params$pattern_fill, params$pattern_alpha)
-    col  <- alpha(params$pattern_colour, params$pattern_alpha)
+    col  <- update_alpha(params$pattern_colour, params$pattern_alpha)
     lwd  <- params$pattern_linewidth * .pt
     lty  <- params$pattern_linetype
 
diff --git a/R/pattern-both-text.R b/R/pattern-both-text.R
index 40f96a9..266bba9 100644
--- a/R/pattern-both-text.R
+++ b/R/pattern-both-text.R
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ create_pattern_text <- function(params, boundary_df, aspect_ratio, legend = FALS
     grid_xy <- get_xy_grid(params, vpm)
 
     # vectorize fill, col, lwd, lty, density, rot, and shape
-    col  <- alpha(params$pattern_colour, params$pattern_alpha)
+    col  <- update_alpha_col(params$pattern_colour, params$pattern_alpha)
     fontsize  <- params$pattern_size
     fontfamily <- params$pattern_fontfamily
     fontface <- params$pattern_fontface
diff --git a/R/pattern-geometry-crosshatch.R b/R/pattern-geometry-crosshatch.R
index bfdede1..4cca813 100644
--- a/R/pattern-geometry-crosshatch.R
+++ b/R/pattern-geometry-crosshatch.R
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ create_crosshatch_via_sf_helper <- function(params, boundary_df, add_top_hatch =
     grid_xy <- get_xy_grid(params, vpm)
 
     fill <- update_alpha(params$pattern_fill, params$pattern_alpha)
-    col  <- alpha(params$pattern_colour, params$pattern_alpha)
+    col  <- update_alpha(params$pattern_colour, params$pattern_alpha)
     lwd  <- params$pattern_linewidth * .pt
     lty  <- params$pattern_linetype
     gp <- gpar(col = col, fill = fill, lwd = lwd, lty = lty, lineend = 'square')
diff --git a/R/pattern-geometry-pch.R b/R/pattern-geometry-pch.R
index accd992..2285fc2 100644
--- a/R/pattern-geometry-pch.R
+++ b/R/pattern-geometry-pch.R
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ grid.pattern_pch <- function(x = c(0, 0, 1, 1), y = c(1, 0, 0, 1), id = 1L, ...,
 create_pattern_pch <- function(params, boundary_df, aspect_ratio, legend = FALSE) {
     # vectorize fill, col, lwd, lty, density, rot, and shape
     fill <- update_alpha(params$pattern_fill, params$pattern_alpha)
-    col  <- alpha(params$pattern_colour, params$pattern_alpha)
+    col  <- update_alpha(params$pattern_colour, params$pattern_alpha)
     lwd  <- params$pattern_linewidth
     lty  <- params$pattern_linetype
     params$pattern_alpha <- NA_real_
diff --git a/R/pattern-geometry-regular_polygon.R b/R/pattern-geometry-regular_polygon.R
index 2c0e9c7..139045b 100644
--- a/R/pattern-geometry-regular_polygon.R
+++ b/R/pattern-geometry-regular_polygon.R
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ create_pattern_regular_polygon_via_sf <- function(params, boundary_df, aspect_ra
 
     # construct grobs using subsets if certain inputs are vectorized
     fill <- update_alpha(params$pattern_fill, params$pattern_alpha)
-    col  <- alpha(params$pattern_colour, params$pattern_alpha)
+    col  <- update_alpha(params$pattern_colour, params$pattern_alpha)
     lwd  <- params$pattern_linewidth * .pt
     lty  <- params$pattern_linetype
 
diff --git a/R/pattern-geometry-tiling.R b/R/pattern-geometry-tiling.R
index 6d19a38..1a57aab 100644
--- a/R/pattern-geometry-tiling.R
+++ b/R/pattern-geometry-tiling.R
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ create_pattern_polygon_tiling <- function(params, boundary_df, aspect_ratio, leg
     xyi <- boundary_df
 
     fill <- update_alpha(params$pattern_fill, params$pattern_alpha)
-    col <- alpha(params$pattern_colour, params$pattern_alpha)
+    col <- update_alpha(params$pattern_colour, params$pattern_alpha)
     lwd <- params$pattern_linewidth
     lty <- params$pattern_linetype
     stopifnot(length(fill) < 4L, max(lengths(list(col, lwd, lty))) == 1L)
diff --git a/R/pattern-geometry-wave.R b/R/pattern-geometry-wave.R
index 58eace0..dd1f45a 100644
--- a/R/pattern-geometry-wave.R
+++ b/R/pattern-geometry-wave.R
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ create_pattern_wave_via_sf <- function(params, boundary_df, aspect_ratio,
     grid_xy <- get_xy_grid(params, vpm)
 
     fill <- update_alpha(params$pattern_fill, params$pattern_alpha)
-    col  <- alpha(params$pattern_colour, params$pattern_alpha)
+    col  <- update_alpha(params$pattern_colour, params$pattern_alpha)
     lwd  <- params$pattern_linewidth * .pt
     lty  <- params$pattern_linetype
     density <- params$pattern_density
diff --git a/R/pattern-geometry-weave.R b/R/pattern-geometry-weave.R
index 390608a..d1c4eca 100644
--- a/R/pattern-geometry-weave.R
+++ b/R/pattern-geometry-weave.R
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ create_warp_via_sf <- function(params, boundary_df) {
     grid_xy <- get_xy_grid(params, vpm)
 
     fill <- update_alpha(params$pattern_fill2, params$pattern_alpha)
-    col  <- alpha(params$pattern_colour, params$pattern_alpha)
+    col  <- update_alpha(params$pattern_colour, params$pattern_alpha)
     lwd  <- params$pattern_linewidth * .pt
     lty  <- params$pattern_linetype
     gp <- gpar(col = col, fill = fill, lwd = lwd, lty = lty, lineend = 'square')
diff --git a/R/standalone-update_alpha.R b/R/standalone-update_alpha.R
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..69cf5a4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/R/standalone-update_alpha.R
@@ -0,0 +1,132 @@
+# ---
+# repo: trevorld/gridpattern
+# file: standalone-update_alpha.R
+# last-updated: 2024-04-18
+# license: https://spdx.org/licenses/MIT.html
+# imports: [grDevices, grid, rlang]
+# ---
+#
+# nocov start
+#
+# You may copy this source into your own R package
+# by either using `usethis::use_standalone("trevorld/gridpattern", "standalone-update_alpha.R")`
+# or simply copying this file into your `R` directory and adding `grDevices`, `grid`, and `rlang` to
+# the `Imports` of your `DESCRIPTION` file.
+
+# The MIT License (MIT)
+# =====================
+#
+# Copyright © 2024 Trevor L. Davis
+# Copyright © 2020 mikefc@coolbutuseless.com
+# Copyright © 2023 ggplot2 authors
+#
+# Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person
+# obtaining a copy of this software and associated documentation
+# files (the “Software”), to deal in the Software without
+# restriction, including without limitation the rights to use,
+# copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell
+# copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the
+# Software is furnished to do so, subject to the following
+# conditions:
+#
+# The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be
+# included in all copies or substantial portions of the Software.
+#
+# THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED “AS IS”, WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND,
+# EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES
+# OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND
+# NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT
+# HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY,
+# WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING
+# FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR
+# OTHER DEALINGS IN THE SOFTWARE.
+
+# Pattern utilities mainly added to ggplot2 by Teun van den Brand
+# Tweaked by Trevor L. Davis to remove external dependencies
+# and work better for {ggpattern} / {gridpattern} use cases.
+update_alpha <- function(fill, alpha) {
+  if (!is.list(fill)) {
+    # Happy path of no patterns
+    update_alpha_col(fill, alpha)
+  } else if (is_pattern(fill) || any(vapply(fill, is_pattern, logical(1)))) {
+    # Path with patterns
+    update_pattern_alpha(fill, alpha)
+  } else if (is.list(fill) && length(fill) == 1L && !any(vapply(fill, is_pattern, logical(1)))) {
+    # List of length one of (possibly multiple) colours
+    update_alpha_col(fill[[1L]], alpha)
+  } else {
+    # We are either dealing with faulty fill specification
+    stop("`fill` must be a vector of colours or list of <GridPattern> objects.")
+  }
+}
+
+# Similar to grid:::is.pattern
+is_pattern <- function(x) {
+  inherits(x, "GridPattern")
+}
+
+# replacement for `scales::alpha()` that only depends on {grDevices}
+update_alpha_col <- function(colour, alpha = NA_real_) {
+    n <- max(lengths(list(colour, alpha)))
+    colour <- rep_len(colour, n)
+    alpha <- rep_len(alpha, n)
+    m <- grDevices::col2rgb(colour, alpha = TRUE) / 255.0
+    m[4, ] <- ifelse(is.na(alpha), m[4, ], alpha)
+    apply(m, 2, function(x) grDevices::rgb(x[1], x[2], x[3], x[4]))
+}
+
+#' Modify transparency for patterns
+#'
+#' This generic allows you to add your own methods for adding transparency to
+#' pattern-like objects.
+#'
+#' @param x Object to be interpreted as pattern.
+#' @param alpha A `numeric` vector between 0 and 1. If `NA`, alpha values
+#'   are preserved.
+#'
+#' @return `x` with modified transparency
+#' @noRd
+update_pattern_alpha <- function(x, alpha, ...) {
+  UseMethod("update_pattern_alpha")
+}
+
+#' @export
+update_pattern_alpha.default <- function(x, alpha, ..., name = NULL) {
+  if (!is.atomic(x)) {
+    stop("Can't apply `update_pattern_alpha()` to this object.")
+  }
+  grid::pattern(grid::rectGrob(name = name),
+                gp = grid::gpar(fill = update_alpha_col(x, alpha)))
+}
+
+#' @export
+update_pattern_alpha.GridPattern <- function(x, alpha, ...) {
+  x$colours <- update_alpha_col(x$colours, alpha[1])
+  x
+}
+
+#' @export
+update_pattern_alpha.GridTilingPattern <- function(x, alpha, ...) {
+  if (all(is.na(alpha) | alpha == 1)) {
+    return(x)
+  }
+  grob <- rlang::env_get(environment(x$f), "grob")
+  gp <- grid::gpar(fill = update_alpha_col("white", alpha))
+  mask <- grid::as.mask(grid::rectGrob(gp = gp))
+  if (is.null(grob$vp)) {
+    grob$vp <- grid::viewport(mask = mask)
+  } else {
+    grob$vp <- grid::editViewport(grob$vp, mask = mask)
+  }
+  new_env <- new.env(parent = environment(x$f))
+  rlang::env_bind(new_env, grob = grob)
+  environment(x$f) <- new_env
+  x
+}
+
+#' @export
+update_pattern_alpha.list <- function(x, alpha, ...) {
+  Map(update_pattern_alpha, x = x, alpha = alpha)
+}
+
+# nocov end
diff --git a/R/utils-ggplot2.R b/R/utils-ggplot2.R
index 8faae01..7fe5965 100644
--- a/R/utils-ggplot2.R
+++ b/R/utils-ggplot2.R
@@ -1,13 +1,3 @@
-# replacement for scales::alpha that only depends on grDevices
-alpha <- function(colour, alpha = NA_real_) {
-    n <- max(lengths(list(colour, alpha)))
-    colour <- rep(colour, length.out = n)
-    alpha <- rep(alpha, length.out = n)
-    m <- grDevices::col2rgb(colour, alpha=TRUE) / 255.0
-    m[4, ] <- ifelse(is.na(alpha), m[4, ], alpha)
-    apply(m, 2, function(x) grDevices::rgb(x[1], x[2], x[3], x[4]))
-}
-
 # Added to ggplot2 by Thomas Lin Pedersen
 # Fast data.frame constructor and indexing
 # No checking, recycling etc. unless asked for
@@ -36,104 +26,3 @@ data_frame <- function(...) {
   new_data_frame(list(...))
 }
 .pt <- 2.845276 # ggplot2 constant
-
-# Pattern utilities mainly added to ggplot2 by Teun van den Brand
-
-#' Update fill colour and/or pattern transparency
-#'
-#' `update_alpha()` modifies the transparency of fill colours and/or patterns.
-#'
-#' * Like [ggplot2::fill_alpha()] but unlike [scales::alpha()] it also attempts
-#'   to set the transparency of `<GridPattern>` objects.
-#' * Unlike [ggplot2::fill_alpha()] it will work on a list of length one
-#'   with more than one color.
-#' * `update_alpha()` does not depend on `ggplot2` or `scales`.
-#'
-#' @param fill A fill colour given as a `character` or `integer` vector, or as a
-#'   (list of) `<GridPattern>` object(s) and/or colour(s).
-#' @param alpha A transparency value between 0 (transparent) and 1 (opaque),
-#'   parallel to `fill`.
-#'
-#' @return A `character` vector of colours or list of `<GridPattern>` objects.
-#' @export
-#'
-#' @examples
-#' # Typical colour input
-#' update_alpha("red", 0.5)
-#'
-#' if (utils::packageVersion("grid") > "4.1") {
-#'   # Pattern input
-#'   update_alpha(list(grid::linearGradient()), 0.5)
-#' }
-update_alpha <- function(fill, alpha) {
-  if (!is.list(fill)) {
-    # Happy path of no patterns
-    alpha(fill, alpha)
-  } else if (is_pattern(fill) || any(vapply(fill, is_pattern, logical(1)))) {
-    # Path with patterns
-    update_pattern_alpha(fill, alpha)
-  } else if (is.list(fill) && length(fill) == 1L && !any(vapply(fill, is_pattern, logical(1)))) {
-    # List of length one of (possibly multiple) colours
-    alpha(fill[[1L]], alpha)
-  } else {
-    # We are either dealing with faulty fill specification
-    stop("`fill` must be a vector of colours or list of <GridPattern> objects.")
-  }
-}
-
-# Similar to grid:::is.pattern
-is_pattern <- function(x) {
-  inherits(x, "GridPattern")
-}
-
-#' Modify transparency for patterns
-#'
-#' This generic allows you to add your own methods for adding transparency to
-#' pattern-like objects.
-#'
-#' @param x Object to be interpreted as pattern.
-#' @param alpha A `numeric` vector between 0 and 1. If `NA`, alpha values
-#'   are preserved.
-#'
-#' @return `x` with modified transparency
-#' @noRd
-update_pattern_alpha <- function(x, alpha, ...) {
-  UseMethod("update_pattern_alpha")
-}
-
-#' @export
-update_pattern_alpha.default <- function(x, alpha, ..., name = NULL) {
-  if (!is.atomic(x)) {
-    stop("Can't apply `update_pattern_alpha()` to this object.")
-  }
-  pattern(rectGrob(name = name), gp = gpar(fill = alpha(x, alpha)))
-}
-
-#' @export
-update_pattern_alpha.GridPattern <- function(x, alpha, ...) {
-  x$colours <- alpha(x$colours, alpha[1])
-  x
-}
-
-#' @export
-update_pattern_alpha.GridTilingPattern <- function(x, alpha, ...) {
-  if (all(is.na(alpha) | alpha == 1)) {
-    return(x)
-  }
-  grob <- rlang::env_get(environment(x$f), "grob")
-  mask <- as.mask(rectGrob(gp = gpar(fill = alpha("white", alpha))))
-  if (is.null(grob$vp)) {
-    grob$vp <- viewport(mask = mask)
-  } else {
-    grob$vp <- editViewport(grob$vp, mask = mask)
-  }
-  new_env <- new.env(parent = environment(x$f))
-  rlang::env_bind(new_env, grob = grob)
-  environment(x$f) <- new_env
-  x
-}
-
-#' @export
-update_pattern_alpha.list <- function(x, alpha, ...) {
-  Map(update_pattern_alpha, x = x, alpha = alpha)
-}
diff --git a/R/z_update_alpha_docs.R b/R/z_update_alpha_docs.R
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7aa2c3c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/R/z_update_alpha_docs.R
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+# The code for this function is in `standalone-update_alpha.R`
+
+#' Update colour and/or pattern transparency
+#'
+#' `update_alpha()` modifies the transparency of colours and/or patterns.
+#'
+#' * This is a fork of pattern utilities mainly added to `{ggplot2}` by Teun van den Brand.
+#' * `update_alpha()` does not depend on `{ggplot2}` or `{scales}`.
+#' * Like [ggplot2::fill_alpha()] but unlike [scales::alpha()] it also attempts
+#'   to set the transparency of `<GridPattern>` objects.
+#' * Unlike [ggplot2::fill_alpha()] it will work on a list of length one
+#'   containing a vector of color strings.
+#'
+#' @section Usage in other packages:
+#'
+#' To avoid taking a dependency on `gridpattern` you may copy the source of `update_alpha()`
+#' into your own package under the permissive MIT license.  Either use
+#' `usethis::use_standalone("trevorld/gridpattern", "standalone-update_alpha.R")`
+#' or copy the file `update_alpha.R` into your `R` directory and
+#' add `grDevices`, `grid`, and `rlang` to the `Imports` of your `DESCRIPTION` file.
+#'
+#' @param fill A fill colour given as a `character` or `integer` vector, or as a
+#'   (list of) `<GridPattern>` object(s) and/or colour(s).
+#' @param alpha A transparency value between 0 (transparent) and 1 (opaque),
+#'   parallel to `fill`.
+#' @return A `character` vector of colours or list of `<GridPattern>` objects.
+#' @examples
+#' # Typical color input
+#' update_alpha("red", 0.5)
+#'
+#' # Pattern input
+#' if (getRversion() >= "4.2" && requireNamespace("grid", quietly = TRUE)) {
+#'   update_alpha(list(grid::linearGradient()), 0.5)
+#' }
+#' @export
+update_alpha <- update_alpha
diff --git a/man/update_alpha.Rd b/man/update_alpha.Rd
index 32ccacf..98b08db 100644
--- a/man/update_alpha.Rd
+++ b/man/update_alpha.Rd
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 % Generated by roxygen2: do not edit by hand
-% Please edit documentation in R/utils-ggplot2.R
+% Please edit documentation in R/z_update_alpha_docs.R
 \name{update_alpha}
 \alias{update_alpha}
-\title{Update fill colour and/or pattern transparency}
+\title{Update colour and/or pattern transparency}
 \usage{
 update_alpha(fill, alpha)
 }
@@ -17,23 +17,34 @@ parallel to \code{fill}.}
 A \code{character} vector of colours or list of \verb{<GridPattern>} objects.
 }
 \description{
-\code{update_alpha()} modifies the transparency of fill colours and/or patterns.
+\code{update_alpha()} modifies the transparency of colours and/or patterns.
 }
 \details{
 \itemize{
+\item This is a fork of pattern utilities mainly added to \code{{ggplot2}} by Teun van den Brand.
+\item \code{update_alpha()} does not depend on \code{{ggplot2}} or \code{{scales}}.
 \item Like \code{\link[ggplot2:fill_alpha]{ggplot2::fill_alpha()}} but unlike \code{\link[scales:alpha]{scales::alpha()}} it also attempts
 to set the transparency of \verb{<GridPattern>} objects.
 \item Unlike \code{\link[ggplot2:fill_alpha]{ggplot2::fill_alpha()}} it will work on a list of length one
-with more than one color.
-\item \code{update_alpha()} does not depend on \code{ggplot2} or \code{scales}.
+containing a vector of color strings.
 }
 }
+\section{Usage in other packages}{
+
+
+To avoid taking a dependency on \code{gridpattern} you may copy the source of \code{update_alpha()}
+into your own package under the permissive MIT license.  Either use
+\code{usethis::use_standalone("trevorld/gridpattern", "standalone-update_alpha.R")}
+or copy the file \code{update_alpha.R} into your \code{R} directory and
+add \code{grDevices}, \code{grid}, and \code{rlang} to the \code{Imports} of your \code{DESCRIPTION} file.
+}
+
 \examples{
-# Typical colour input
+# Typical color input
 update_alpha("red", 0.5)
 
-if (utils::packageVersion("grid") > "4.1") {
-  # Pattern input
+# Pattern input
+if (getRversion() >= "4.2" && requireNamespace("grid", quietly = TRUE)) {
   update_alpha(list(grid::linearGradient()), 0.5)
 }
 }
diff --git a/tests/testthat/test_geometry.R b/tests/testthat/test_geometry.R
index b924c7e..5570ab4 100644
--- a/tests/testthat/test_geometry.R
+++ b/tests/testthat/test_geometry.R
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ test_that("geometry patterns work as expected", {
                          pch  = params$pattern_shape,
                          size = unit(params$pattern_size, 'char'),
                          default.units = "npc",
-                         gp   = grid::gpar(col = alpha(params$pattern_fill, params$pattern_alpha))
+                         gp   = grid::gpar(col = update_alpha(params$pattern_fill, params$pattern_alpha))
         )
     }
     options(ggpattern_geometry_funcs = list(centroid = centroid_dot_pattern))