While Miz Kittling Knits: I, Claudius

 

It's been awhile since my last knitting post, but that doesn't mean that my needles have been still. I started experiencing pain in my finger joints-- arthritis-- and my doctor recommended an ointment to apply to my hands. It seems to be working, although I think it has something to do with what I've been knitting. The pain in my thumbs in particular had grown to the point where I'd begun wearing braces on my hands, but I've been able to stop that. Why? Because I've stopped knitting big afghans all in one piece and have been spending my evenings using up yarn that I've had for years in making scarves. I think the weight of the afghans had a great deal to do with the pain. 

But I'm getting ahead of myself since I still have an afghan or two (maybe three) to show you. Let's see what's on the agenda today...

This afghan is all of my own invention. The pattern is simple: a garter stitch border framing a stockinette stitch center panel. I used US size 15 circular needles and three strands of Red Heart Super Saver 100% acrylic yarn: two strands of Bright Yellow and one strand of Mexicana. The simple pattern allows the colors to shine-- and there's just something so cheerful about yellow, isn't there?

What was I watching while my needles were clacking away? An iconic mini-series that first aired in 1976...

Synopsis from IMDb:

"Rome, 1st Century AD. Aging Emperor Claudius is writing the history of his family. He starts his recollections before he was born with the court of his grandfather Caesar Augustus. He then chronicles the goings-on in the imperial court, especially the plots and murderous machinations, that brought him to this point. "

The opening sequence and theme music are still arresting. The cast is absolutely fabulous. (Derek Jacobi, John Hurt, Patrick Stewart, among others.) I had not seen this series since it first aired, and I was gobsmacked at how much of it I remembered. I also found it amusing that my opinion of one actress (Siân Phillips as the scheming, diabolical Livia) was forever colored by her masterful performance. 

True, there have been great strides made in the makeup techniques used to age actors in their roles as well as camera lenses and film, but this mini-series stands the test of time. I watched it just as avidly now as I did over forty years ago. Now that's quality television! 

(I watched I, Claudius on Acorn TV.)