Worms, worms, everywhere!

Just thought I'd give you a quick update on the silkworms.  They're growing at a phenomenal rate, and yesterday they started shedding their skins for the first time.  It seems to have given them a bit more freedom to grow, must have been a bit restricted with the old, tight, skin.  Photo :-

I think tomorrow they're going to have to go into a bigger box - they're crawling over each other in their present one.

Saw these weeds at a friend's house yesterday, and recognised them as horsetail or marestail.  Apparently it's possible to get a green colour from them, so I picked a carrier bag full and brought them home.

 

Today I chopped them into pieces and put them in a large pan of water to heat.  I boiled them for about an hour, and left them to cool.  When I checked the colour of the water this evening, it's very weak and watery.  I really can't imagine them dyeing anything pale yellow, let alone green.  Maybe it was too late in the season?  Perhaps they should be younger plants?  I will try a small sample of wool to see what happens, but don't expect much from it.  If anyone knows what I've done wrong, I'd be grateful for any tips.