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Technically: Strings are gaged by their thinnest string.  When you purchase a set of 10's,  you've bought a set of strings that the high "E" string is .010" or ten one thousandths of an inch thick. The thicker strings, B, G, D, A, and E are gaged relative to this first string. Sometimes, the string package is labled "12-52.  Meaning that the thinnest string is .012" and the thickest is .052" all the rest fall between.
  Acoustic 12's are considered "light".  Electric 10's are considered "medium".  Never confuse electric strings with acoustic strings. Never put steel strings on a classical.  Never put nylon strings on anything and the world will continue to revolve.

Blues is instantly recognizable, yet almost impossible to describe.  Howlin' Wolf played many a song using just one chord. B.B. King doesn't even play chords. Muddy Waters played with a length of pipe a friend made for him. Albert Collins played it upside down and backwards. To ask about strumming patterns for blues will lead you down a path that has infinite length and width. All that I can say is to try to imitate your favorite artist.  Listen closely to the guitar tracks.  Concentrate on this player's acoustic blues tunes.  Don't start by trying to learn songs that are heavily orchestrated with horns, keyboards and other distractions.  The simple acoustic tunes are easiest to focus on. You may find that there is no strumming pattern at all.  You may find this player uses a hybrid picking technique as opposed to strumming.  Most important of all is that blues is a feeling not a process or technique.
  Good luck.

Does it have to be a Martin or a Taylor? Can it be a Santa Cruz or a Lowden?  Keep your options open and play them all.