Reinforcement component for an article of footwear

An article of footwear comprising:

• a sole structure;
• and
• an upper that includes an expandable knit element, the knit element formed of unitary knit construction, the knit element defining a warp direction and a weft direction, the knit element expanded to an expanded position from a contracted position to at least partially define the upper, the knit element including 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;
• the plurality of strap members including a first plurality of strap members disposed in an upper portion of the knit element and a second plurality of strap members disposed in an opposite lower portion of the knit element;
• the knit element further comprising a plurality of slits in the contracted position that are configured to expand to form openings when the knit element is in the expanded position;
• the plurality of slits being disposed between adjacent strap members of the first plurality of strap members and disposed between adjacent strap members of the second plurality of strap members;
• wherein the knit element is configured to fold at a centerline extending along a first axis oriented in a lateral direction across a width of the knit element such that the upper portion is folded over the lower portion of the knit element;
• and
• wherein one end of the folded knit element includes a plurality of loops formed by overlapping portions of the upper portion and the lower portion of the knit element, and the opposite end of the folded knit element includes ends of the first plurality of strap members and ends of the second plurality of strap members.