how can i count elements with the class item which is contained in a variable 

so far <http://jsfiddle.net/jGj4B/>

```
var post = '<div/><div class="item"></div><div class="item"></div><div class="item"></div><div class="item"></div>';
alert($(post).find('.item').length);​ // i have tried .size() in place of .length

```