If you’re looking for an alternative to the usual baubles, tree and elf on a shelf, here is a Christmas decoration that’s a little bit different.

Jacob Marley’s Ghost is approximately 82cm (32 inches) tall with a removable coat and waistcoat and posable limbs and fingers. The yarn used is 25g mini balls to minimise waste. (Ebenezer Scrooge is available as a separate pattern).

If you’re not a fan of Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’, you could modify this pattern to make any late Georgian / Regency or early Victorian gentleman by choosing different colours, a neater hairstyle and omitting the bandage and chains.

When you buy this pattern you will receive two 27-page PDFs: one contains detailed written instructions using American crochet terms and the other uses British crochet terms. Both contain 164 close-up photos of Marley being made, as well as photo tutorials of the magic loop, knots and changing colour.

This pattern is not suitable for beginners. You must already be able to work the basic crochet stitches (ch, ss, dc, htr and tr) and be confident identifying those stitches, be able to increase and decrease and be able to work flat and in the round.

You will need:

• Rico Ricorumi DK: 2 balls of Light Blue (033), 2 balls of White (001), 3 balls of Mouse Grey (059), 3 balls of Marsh Green (076), 4 balls of Silver Grey (058), 4 balls of Patina (038) and 6 balls of Ice Green (037).
• 3mm crochet hook.
• Stitch markers.
• Toy stuffing.
• Tapestry needle.
• Sharp sewing needle with a large eye.
• Sewing thread.
• 2x 10mm grey safety eyes.
• 7cm silver toy spectacles.
• Large-headed pins (the longer the better).
• 4x 10mm buttons for the waistcoat.
• 3x 15mm buttons for the tailcoat.
• 2 small buttons, beads or sequins for cufflinks.
• White cotton handkerchief.
• 2m silver-coloured chain.
• Silver-coloured plastic charms.
• Silver-coloured jump rings and pliers.