First of all, welcome to the Village Joe! I hope we can help you with your problem.
The FD Puzzle blades are a 3/0 skip tooth blade. I have had no luck with FD blades smaller than a #1. I just tried some FD Ultra Reverse # 2/0 blades recently and I could not control them.
When I cut jigsaw puzzles I use Olson 2/0 skip tooth blades. They are a lot easier to control. I haven't tried their 3/0 blades because I don't have any, but it might be a blade for you to try.
i also don't use a pattern. I have always cut them free hand. It's hard to see it, but my Avatar is my first jigsaw puzzle.