A multiplicity of knitting needles and one or more knitting needles are slid vertically along first and second needle beds, respectively, which are disposed in a back-to-back relationship with and spaced a predetermined distance from each other. The second needle bed extends along only one end portion of the first needle bed. And at the same time, a predetermined number of knitting yarn guides are swung and shogged. During that time, a monofilament bending means disposed near one end of the first needle bed reciprocates along the upper space between the first and second needle beds at an underlapping position to continuously form individual fastener elements by bending the monofilament and to knit the formed fastener elements successively in a warp-knit fastener tape by the back-to-back needles in the first and second needle beds simultaneously with the knitting of the tape.