Coxcombing is a decorative knotwork performed by sailors. The general purpose to dress-up items and parts of ships and boats during the age of sail.

Modern uses are to wrap boat tillers and ships' wheels with small diameter line to enhance the grip as well as the nautical appeal.

Knots used in coxcombing include Turk's head knot

Turk's head knot

A Turk's head knot is a decorative knot with a variable number of interwoven strands, forming a closed loop. The name is used to describe the general family of all such knots rather than one individual knot. While generally seen made around a cylinder, the knot can also be deformed into a flat,...

, Flemish, French whipping, and others.