Whether you're making bread or hot cross buns, kneading aids the rising process, so it's important to make sure your dough is worked evenly. To do so, flour your hands and work surface, then bunch the dough into a ball.
Use the heels of your hands to push the dough, elongating it.
Then gently pull it further with your fingers. Fold the dough in half and turn it 90 degrees. Repeat the steps, kneading and turning, until the dough is smooth and pliable.