A method of manufacturing an article of footwear , the method comprising: warp knitting a knit element formed of unitary knit construction, the knit element having a warp direction and a weft direction , the knit element comprising a plurality of strap members that are configured to be substantially non-extensible along the warp direction for providing support to the article of footwear ; and forming at least part of an upper of the article of footwear from the knit element ; wherein warp knitting the knit element includes warp knitting the plurality of strap members to include at least a first strap member and a second strap member , each of the first strap member and the second strap member including a leading edge and an opposite trailing edge; wherein warp knitting the knit element further includes warp knitting the first strap member and the second strap member to be: (I) separated along a portion of a length of the first and second strap members by a slit , and (ii) at least partially joined through knitting at a junction ; wherein warp knitting the first strap member includes warp knitting a first leading edge and a first trailing edge of the first strap member , the first trailing edge extending from the junction generally in the warp direction ; wherein warp knitting the second strap member includes warp knitting a second leading edge and a second trailing edge of the second strap member , the second leading edge extending from the junction generally in the warp direction , the second leading edge and the first trailing edge cooperating to define the slit that separates the first strap member and the second strap member . warp knitting a knit element formed of unitary knit construction, the knit element having a warp direction and a weft direction , the knit element comprising a plurality of strap members that are configured to be substantially non-extensible along the warp direction for providing support to the article of footwear ; and forming at least part of an upper of the article of footwear from the knit element ; wherein warp knitting the knit element includes warp knitting the plurality of strap members to include at least a first strap member and a second strap member , each of the first strap member and the second strap member including a leading edge and an opposite trailing edge; wherein warp knitting the knit element further includes warp knitting the first strap member and the second strap member to be: (I) separated along a portion of a length of the first and second strap members by a slit , and (ii) at least partially joined through knitting at a junction ; wherein warp knitting the first strap member includes warp knitting a first leading edge and a first trailing edge of the first strap member , the first trailing edge extending from the junction generally in the warp direction ; wherein warp knitting the second strap member includes warp knitting a second leading edge and a second trailing edge of the second strap member , the second leading edge extending from the junction generally in the warp direction , the second leading edge and the first trailing edge cooperating to define the slit that separates the first strap member and the second strap member . <EOS>