less css calling dynamic variables from a loop -

what i'm trying do: have (for now) 7 colors variables. want able use them @ several places , iterate throught them.

this have don't work

@color1:#06a1c0; @color2:#8f4f9f; @color3:#ed1d24; @color4:#5a9283; @color5:#b38c51; @color6:#ec008c; @color7:#8f4f9f;  @iterations: 8; .mixin-loop (@index) when (@index > 0) { color@{index}:hover{   @tmp: ~'@color';   @num: @index;       color: @tmp@num;   }  .mixin-loop(@index - 1); } .mixin-loop (0) {} .mixin-loop(@iterations); 

what need want result

.color1:hover{color#06a1co} .color2:hover{color#8f4f9f} etc.. 

what's problem? can't find way evalute @tmp@num actual variable.

update perfect answer provided ash hitchcock below.

i have been trying todo same thing today less. solution came use parametric mixin create (define) variable, see updated exmaple:

@color1:#06a1c0; @color2:#8f4f9f; @color3:#ed1d24; @color4:#5a9283; @color5:#b38c51; @color6:#ec008c; @color7:#8f4f9f;  @iterations: 7;  .define(@var) {   @colorset: 'color@{var}'; }   .mixin-loop (@index) when (@index > 0) { color@{index}:hover{     .define(@index);     color:  @@colorset;   }  .mixin-loop(@index - 1); } .mixin-loop (0) {} .mixin-loop(@iterations); 

hope helps.