Ideas for winter crafting

I get an e-newsletter from my favorite on-line yarn shop every so often and this time it had a list of 5 charities requesting donations of knitted, crocheted or sewn items. Thought these would be good opportunities to use up excess yarn ( course a yarnOholic would never admit to having an excess amount of yarn, only yarn that hasn't been used yet) and provide something fun and helpful to do during the coming wintery months when gardening is not an option.

They need hats for cancer patients (men, women, boys and girls) who have lost their hair due to chemo treatments
http://www.headhuggers.org/
http://www.headhuggers.org/groups/groups.asp

This is a group in New York, but they give an address and they have contributors from all over the U.S. and possibly your local agencies know where you could donate them also.
http://www.hats4thehomeless.org/

This group is looking for blankets for dogs and cats in shelters, those cages are hard and cold and everyone needs something to cuddle up in. I'm thinking that a couple of yards of fleece fabric, cut to size with pinking shears would be perfect, quick and easy.
http://www.snugglesproject.org/

This group started out wanting afghans and blankets for babies and young children in the hospital and have expanded to other children in need too.
http://www.projectlinus.org/
http://www.projectlinus.org/volunteer/

This one is exactly like it's name implies...for women who have had mastectomies
http://www.knittedknockers.org/
They have patterns for free download for knit and crochet versions....and a link to an international group for those outside the U.S.

Randy's Mom has made a couple for the Linus Project, I have at least one in the works and I am making scarves and hats for women and their kiddos at our local family shelter.